It's June, and that means, among other things, it's 'crootin time. Especially for Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern.
With five class of 2016 commitments heading into the summer, the Wildcats aren't necessarily behind, but they have plenty of work to do, and plenty of spots to fill. NU's class currently ranks 9th in the Big Ten, just behind Rutgers, and some schools at the top of the list already have double-digit commits.
Over the next three or four weeks though, it's not out of the question that Northwestern's class could double in size and reach double digits. And it starts this weekend.
Had some people chirping at me this week about a recent lull in #AirHorn’s. In the words of @CodyCejda…"hold tight." Big week coming up.
— Chris Bowers (@NU_Bowers) June 5, 2015
That's Northwestern football's director of player personnel Chris Bowers. Whenever he and the program get a commitment, he tweets something like this:
We've got that AIR HORN on REPLAY! BIG Day for the #B1GCats!!! One. More. Player. #NUSquad16. Hit the Air Horn! http://t.co/FuSFM8gr9T
— Chris Bowers (@NU_Bowers) May 23, 2015
So there's no better hint that more players could be coming soon.
Around this time, Northwestern hosts high school prospects at camps, which offers the camp attendees chances to earn scholarships. Plus, Chris Emma has reported that multiple players are close to deciding between Northwestern and other schools.
The most important name to watch is Josh Jackson. The dual-threat quarterback is the last available of Northwestern's three main QB targets. Deuce Wallace originally committed to NU back in March, but de-committed and flipped to Vanderbilt a little over a month later. Anthony Brown then committed to Boston College in May.
Jackson is visiting Virginia Tech today, and will reportedly decide between Northwestern and and the Hokies sometime soon. If the Wildcats don't get him, they'll suddenly find themselves scrambling for a quarterback. It would be the second year in a row that Fitzgerald and NU miss out on their top QB targets, and that would raise some major questions about the future of the position in Evanston.
Another name to watch is Ben Skowronek. The three-star wide receiver will make his decision Sunday, and Northwestern is considered the favorite.
UPDATE: Skowronek committed to Northwestern Sunday. Jackson will make his decision Thursday.